Another initial step is deciding which classification system to use. The two most commonly used are the Dewey Decimal System and Library of Congress. Most small public libraries in the United States use the Dewey Decimal System as their classification system and Sears List of Subject Headings as their subject heading index. However, those tribes either possessing or planning to possess large amounts of materials by, for and about Native Americans may find Library of Congress classification and subject headings more suitable to their needs. Be sure to evaluate which classification system and which subject heading list best meets the need of your community. Also consider the system used by the other libraries in your consortium, if applicable.

Another initial step is deciding which classification system to use. The two most commonly used are the Dewey Decimal System and Library of Congress. Most small public libraries in the United States use the Dewey Decimal System as their classification system and Sears List of Subject Headings as their subject heading index. However, those tribes either possessing or planning to possess large amounts of materials by, for and about Native Americans may find Library of Congress classification and subject headings more suitable to their needs. Be sure to evaluate which classification system and which subject heading list best meets the need of your community. Also consider the system used by the other libraries in your consortium, if applicable.

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==Choosing a Library Management System==

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Choosing a library management system (LMS) has become somewhat easier for smaller libraries. There are many low cost or free alternatives available. [coming up]

==Basic Copy Cataloging Procedures==

==Basic Copy Cataloging Procedures==

Revision as of 13:20, 25 April 2007

Having library materials on a shelf is not sufficient to serve library patrons well. Library materials must be organized in a manner which allows the user to locate materials of interest easily and quickly. This is accomplished through cataloging and classifying the materials.

Contents

Initial Considerations

For most small libraries without a technical services staff, it is highly recommended that books be ordered "shelf-ready", i.e., already cataloged, classified, and labeled. Most major vendors/jobbers provide this service for a fee and it is one very good reason to do most of your ordering from one of them. When the books are sent to the library, the vendor/jobber can also send cataloging records in batches to be loaded into your library management system (LMS). A variety of end processing can also be done with this service, including labeling, stamping, and adding security strips and date due slips.

Where this option is too costly, libraries can subscribe to a utility such as OCLC, obtain cataloging records created by other libraries, and export them into the local system. Representatives from these utilities can explain the options for smaller libraries and provide training. Once an agreement is in place, routine copy cataloging can help make the collection accessible.

Yet another option is to join a consortium. Partnering with other libraries with more extensive resources can be a great help to tribal libraries. Joining a consortium with a shared catalog can make cataloging a collection simple, since in many cases the records are already in the catalog, and it is just a matter of adding data to show your library holds that item as well.

In addition to partnering with larger libraries, developing tribal libraries might consider partnering with MLIS or MIS programs to bring in graduate students who can assist with strategic technical services planning, as well as the hands-on processing. Internships and work-study relationships seem to have successfully worked for a number of tribes who are eager to pull in the knowledge and skills of soon-to-be professionals. It is also a great opportunity for library school students to become exposed to the needs of tribal libraries. Cross-cultural competence might be an issue for some of these relationships, but they can sometimes be fruitful. Working particularly with programs that serve Native information professionals (such as Knowledge River or the UBC First Nations Core Curriculum) might help address this last point.

Before beginning the classifying/cataloging process, one should separate the library materials in accordance with the groupings of the collection. For instance, the collection may have the following sections: adult, juvenile, reference, and special collections such as tribal materials and/or Native American materials in general.

Another initial step is deciding which classification system to use. The two most commonly used are the Dewey Decimal System and Library of Congress. Most small public libraries in the United States use the Dewey Decimal System as their classification system and Sears List of Subject Headings as their subject heading index. However, those tribes either possessing or planning to possess large amounts of materials by, for and about Native Americans may find Library of Congress classification and subject headings more suitable to their needs. Be sure to evaluate which classification system and which subject heading list best meets the need of your community. Also consider the system used by the other libraries in your consortium, if applicable.

Choosing a Library Management System

Choosing a library management system (LMS) has become somewhat easier for smaller libraries. There are many low cost or free alternatives available. [coming up]

Basic Copy Cataloging Procedures

[coming up]

Basic Original Cataloging Procedures

Original cataloging, creating a bibliographic record for an item when no record is found through copy cataloging, can be a difficult, time consuming and expensive process and if not done correctly make it difficult and/or confusing for the Library user to locate information in the library collection. Vendor/jobbers can also be paid for this service, but it can also be done in-house using you library management system. Following are some basic guidelines. You might also contact professional catalogers you know for guidance.

Preparation for Use

Besides preparing complete catalog sets for library materials, there are certain steps which must betaken to ready them to be placed on the shelf for use. These include:

1. Attaching a book pocket, date due slip and circulation card. These are usually prepared at the same time as the catalog card. The book pocket and the circulation card should have the call number, author (last name first), title, and copy number, if there is one, on them. Book pockets, date due slips and circulation cards can be ordered from library suppliers and are also provided by jobbers if books are ordered pre-processed. Libraries using automated systems should consult the automation vendor for instruction in this area.

2. Stamping for ownership. A rubber stamp with the library's name is used for this purpose.

3. Identifying the material with a call number. The items call number should be marked, in the case of a book, on the spine (about 2 ½ inches from the bottom) so it may be easily shelved and easily located on the shelf by the user. The call number can be placed on the spine by a variety of methods including labels, transfer paper, electric stylus and markers all of which can be obtained through a library supplier. This too will be done by the jobber if items are ordered preprocessed.

4. Attaching a protective cover. This step is optional as it is an extra cost and is not needed by all libraries. Protective book covers are most often used on valuable and popular materials. Protective covers are available through library suppliers and can also be provided by jobbers.

Summary

The catalog is the key to finding materials in the library. Keeping the cataloging of your collection up to date as materials arrive is important. Library materials must be processed before they can be placed on the shelf.